The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), a law granting sweeping powers to security forces in designated “disturbed areas,” has been extended for another six months in parts of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, according to notifications issued by the Union Home Ministry on Sunday.
Manipur under extended AFSPA
In Manipur, the AFSPA will remain in effect across the entire state, with the exception of 13 police station jurisdictions in five districts. These exclusions include areas within Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts. The extension comes amid ongoing security concerns following the ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023, resulting in over 260 deaths and widespread displacement. The state has been under President’s rule since February 13th.
The notification specifies: “Whereas the central government after review of the law and order situation in the state of Manipur, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) declares the entire state of Manipur, excluding the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the following 13 (thirteen) police stations of 5 districts, as ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from 01.04.2025, unless withdrawn earlier.”
Nagaland’s eight districts
In Nagaland, the AFSPA has been extended for six months in eight districts: Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren, as well as specific police station areas within Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto districts.
Arunachal Pradesh
Similarly, in Arunachal Pradesh, the law will continue to be enforced in the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding, as well as the areas under Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, which borders Assam.
The AFSPA, which grants security forces the authority to search, arrest, and use lethal force, has been a subject of intense criticism and protest for decades. Activists and human rights organisations have condemned it as a “draconian law,” citing instances of alleged human rights violations.
The extension of the AFSPA comes despite previous partial withdrawals and assurances from the central government that the law would be gradually phased out as the security situation improves. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously stated that the AFSPA has been removed from 70 per cent of the areas in the northeastern states.
The extension of the act in the northeast, as well as its continued enforcement in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, has sparked renewed calls for its complete repeal.
(With PTI Inputs)